By John Grossi Photos by Monique Kuhlman His life story will make a Hollywood script one day. I’ll just give you the short version, for now. Maxwell, who never attended school until he was 17 years old, is now living at the Long Beach Rescue Mission's newly built "Timothy's House" for young men Meet Maxwell. You’ve never met anyone like him. His story is a firm reminder that unimaginable hardships exist in our society, and unthinkable wrongs are occurring right under

A big congratulations to Brittany Hart Scholten, a regular LB908 contributor for releasing her debut children’s book, “Leah’s Long Beach Adventures.” “Leah’s Long Beach Adventures” is a vibrant children’s picture book celebrating the neighborhoods, cultures, diversity, and community that make Long Beach so unique. Brittany is passionate about writing for the community as she does for LB908. For her book, she worked with local illustrator Michelle Dinh, born and raised i

By John Grossi Photos by Izzy Juarez Deborah (left) & Denise (right) opened up Straw Hat Pizza on Spring Street in 1991 You’d be hard-pressed to find a more quintessential East Long Beach establishment than Straw Hat Pizza on Spring Street. Owned by Deborah Morris and Denise Jongarius, both Millikan grads, Straw Hat has been a staple of the community since the franchise opened in 1991. The menu is delicious, classic, and proven. “Our menu is probably too big, but it’s

By John Grossi Photos by Monique Kuhlman Few locals are more active than Ashley Richardson, founder of EvolutionWise, the brand new Longevity Studio on 2nd Street in Naples. Between regular boxing workouts at 9Round on Spring Street; hours spent each week paddling on the open water for Long Beach’s competitive Kahakai outrigger canoe club; and everyday keeping-up-with-four-young-kids mom routine; Ashley’s good health has always directly resulted from her active lifestyle.

By John Grossi Photos by Monique Kuhlman When I first got my knives sharpened at a farmer’s market by Mr. Sharpe a few years ago, I couldn’t believe the difference! All of the sudden, every knife in my block cut better than the one I previously considered my best knife! If you haven’t sharpened your home knives in the past year and chopping veggies seems to be harder than it should, you likely don’t need new knives, you just need to get your current knives sharpened! Melv

By John Grossi Photos by Monique Kuhlman The sign on the window, just to the right of where Michael’s on Naples Ristorante once stood, says: Massimo’s Naples Pizza E Vino. Founded in 2026 by Massimo Aronne, the long-time GM and managing partner of Michael’s, the intimate 26-seat, elevated Italian pizzeria is Massimo’s first foray into owning his own restaurant. If ever there was a place in Long Beach to try Neapolitan-style pizza, a style originated in Naples, Italy, it w

Yes folks, it's going to be our CHEESIEST March Madness competition ever!! This year, we're hosting March "Pizza" Madness on our @LB908 Instagram page. Over 60 Long Beach pizzas are facing off against each other in a single-elimination, bracket-style tournament, and the only way to advance to the next round is to get the most votes from our followers! Between March 19th and April 6th, we'll narrow the competition down on the # roadtothefinalslice by asking our followers th

By Guest Contributor Sara Mais Photos by Monique Kuhlman Have you ever wondered about how to add a hint of sustainability to your lifestyle? I’m not talking about going full-on eco-warrior here (though more power to you if you want to take it to the next level!) but more in the family-friendly, non-time consuming, local solutions kind of way. As the Development Director for LA-based plastic pollution non-profit, the 5 Gyres Institute, my job is to fundraise for and promote o

By Brittany Hart Scholten Photo by Justin Rudd Jake Heflin, Battalion Chief When someone picks up the phone and dials 911, they are placing their absolute trust in the people who will show up at their door. “This could be the worst or most vulnerable day of their life. They open the door to firefighters, who are complete strangers, and invite them into their most personal space to take care of them and their family.” Jake Heflin, Battalion Chief for the Long Beach Fire Depart

By Natalie Hale Photos submitted by Rotary Club of Long Beach Tucked into a quiet stretch near Pacific Coast Highway and Junipero Avenue, Rotary Centennial Park is a safe and welcoming green space for nearby residents, families, walkers, and children at play. For two decades, it has been part of the neighborhood—familiar, reliable, and quietly cared for. Created in 2005 as part of Rotary International’s centennial celebration, the park transformed what had long been an unused

By Kathleen Mest Photos submitted by businesses Our LB908 mission has always been to support our local small businesses. Our “Life is Great in the 908” Subscription Box is delivered directly to your home and is always a surprise! Introducing our local vendors from our January 2026 Subscription Box! These businesses aren’t just about products, the products reflect the local people behind them! OH.MY.DATES. Website: eatohmydates.com Instagram: @ eatohmydates OH.MY.DATES. is a s

By Gina Valencia Photos by Izzy Juarez In need of a special gift for your Valentine? Ready to spruce up your living area with something unique? Resale and vintage shops remain an overlooked option for gifts and home decor. Crowded malls drain energy and money. Online shopping saves time but lacks the thrill of discovery. For shoppers who want meaning, surprise, and personality in their finds, second hand stores offer a better path. Long Beach, with its layered past and creat